Automatic sewer back-up valve



4, 1965 c. YAVICOLI 3,202,165

AUTOMATIC SEWER BACK-UP VALVE Filed Aug. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

CA M ILLO YAVICOLI ATTORNEYS 4, 1965 c. YAVlCOLl 3,202,165

AUTOMATIC SEWER BACK-UP VALVE Filed Aug. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

CAMILLO YAVICO Ll 5 BY MANN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,292,165AUTOMATMI SEWER BACKUP VALVE Camille Yavicoii, 4303 Tamalga Drive, SouthEuclid, Ohio Filed Aug. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 215,908 3 Claims. (Cl. 137-107) The present invention relates to the alleviation of floodingconditions caused by the backing up of sewer waters, usually resultingfrom an over-burdening of the sewer system during heavy rains. Thebacking up of the sewer waters occurs primarily in the sanitary sewersystem and causes deposits of sewage-laden liquids in the lower levelsof residential homes and the like. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to an automatic valve system which responds toblockage of the sewer lines by closing the flow through the outlet lineand preventing the counterflow of sewage through the drains in theprotected area.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide an automaticallyresponsive valve mechanism for sealing the sewer lines against thebacking up of the sewer waters.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved valve mechanismfor accomplishing the foregoing objective.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved controlsystem for operation of the aforesaid valve mechanism, which will alsoprovide a visual or audible signal when the backup condition occurs.

Still another object of my invention is to provide means for preventingthe accumulation of debris which could interfere with the effectiveoperation of the valve mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an apparatus or deviceembodying the features of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated on line 22 of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view taken as indicated on line 3-3 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation, showing details of the valvedrive means and switch assembly.

FIG. 5 is a representative circuit diagram showing the control systemfor the valve mechanism, and

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram disclosing an alternative method of signalindication.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. l4 of the drawings, I have shown asewer pipe or drain pipe section 10 provided with coupling means, suchas the flanges 11 at opposite ends thereof, for connecting the pipesection 16 to the sewer line (not shown). It will be understood that thepipe section 10 would ordinarily be inserted in the sewer line closelyadjacent to thepoint where the sewer line exits from the basement or.other area to be protected. The arrow 12 indicates the normal directionof the flow of waste Waters through the pipe line and into the exteriorsewer system.

Adjacent the inlet side of the pipe 10 is mounted a sleeve 13, which issubstantially coaxial with the pipe, and provides an annular space 14between the wall of the sleeve and the adjacent converging or taperingwall 15 of the pipe section 10. The sleeve 13 extends part way into thepipe Ill and its end 16 provides a seat for a pivotally mounted valvebody 17. A shallow branch or T is provided on the pipe section 10 topermit access to the interior of the pipe, when it should becomenecessary. The access opening provided by the T 18 is sealed by means3,Z2,ifi5 Patented Aug. 24, 1965 of a cover plate 19 which may beclamped, as at 20, or otherwise suitably detachably secured to the T.

The cover plate 19 also serves as a support for the valve mechanism. Adepending rod 21 is fixably secured to the underside of the cover plate1 and provides a pivotal connection 22 adjacent the periphery of thecircular valve body 17. A sutable standard or support member 23 issecured to the top of the cover plate 19 and has mounted thereon anelectric motor 24 having a worm shaft 25 which operatively engages aworm gear 26 which is affixed to a vertically extending shaft 27. Asecond shaft 28 projects upwardly through a sleeve bearing 29 in thecover and is coupled, as at 30, to the end of the shaft 27 forsimultaneous rotation therewith.

The lower end of the shaft 28 is provided with a worm 31 engaging a gear32 which is rotatably carried by a support element 33 affixed to theunderside of the cover 19. The gear 32 forms an integral part of atoggle link 34 which is pivotally connected as at35 to anotherlink 36having a pivotal connection 37 to the valve body 17 centrally thereof.

The valve body 17 is connected, by means of a pivoted link 38, to amovable sealing element 39 which normally closes the opening to a riseror vent pipe 4-9 which communicates with the pipe section 10. Thesealing element 39 is pivotally connected as at 41 to a support arm 42which is secured to the underside of the cover 19.

Also aifixed to the underside of the cover plate 19, is a tubular,perforate spray ring 43 which is connected through a hand valve 44 andhose 45 to a conventional source of pressure water supply.

Disposed exteriorally of the wall of the pipe section 16, but affixedthereto, is a housing 46 which provides a float chamber 47 The open topof the float chamber is sealed by means of a casing 48 which extendsboth above and below the level ofthe opening. A rod 49 is aifixed to thecasing 48 and has pivotally connected thereto the arm 50 of a float 51.An actuating rod 52 is pivotally connected, as at 53 to the arm 50 andextends upwardly through the casing 48 which serves to guide it in itsvertical movement. A diaphragm seal 54 which is secured to the actuatorrod and to the underside of the casing, serves to prevent any fluidcommunication between the float chamber 47 and the interior of thecasing 48.

A switch arm 55 is pivotally secured Within the casing 48 and has itsfree end movably connected to the actuating rod 52. A mercury switch 56is carried by the switch arm 55. A projection or pin 57 on the actuatingrod 52 is adapted to engage the casing 48 and limit the extent of upwardmovement of the actuating rod.

The float chamber 47 communicates with the interior of the pipe 10 bymeans of an exteriorally provided channel 58 and oppositely disposedopenings 5:9 in the wall of the pipe 10. The openings 59 communicatewith the annular space 14 in the pipe. The openings are disposed at oreven below the normal level of outgoing flow in the pipe 10.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a portion of theshaft 27 is screw-threaded as at 60 and engages a collar 61 whichcarries switch actuating arms 62 and 63. Axial rotation of the collar 61is prevented by the engagement of the end of the arm 62 with a guidegroove 64 on the support member 23.

home will flow through the pipes provided therefor and through the pipeoutwardly, in the direction of the arrow 12, to the municipal sewersystem. Even under conditions of maximum use, the level of waste waterflowing freely through the pipe 10 will be below the level of theopenings 59. The ordinary velocity of flow through the sleeve 13prevents the openings 59 from being exposed to the waste liquids and theannular space 14 is normally void of fluid. It will be noted that theeffect .of the sleeve 13 is to provide a form of spillway within thepipe 10 at a point forward of the openings 59. For normal operation, thevalve body 17 and the seal 39 are disposed in the solid line positionsshown in FIG. 1, with the riser being sealed from communication with thepipe 19.

In the event of any circumstance which blocks or disrupts the free flowof the waste liquids beyond the pipe 10, a back-up condition is createdin which the waste fluids counter-flow and exit through drains into theliving area with damaging effect. It will be noted that in thecounter-flow of the sewage waters, the spillway effect previouslydescribed does not exist, and the incoming liquid is trapped in theannular space 14 in communication with the openings 59.

The rising level of the back-up liquid actuates the float 51 and,through actuating rod 52 and switch arm 55, causes the normally openmercury switch 56 to assume a closed circuit position. This completes amotor energizing circuit from battery 71 through normally closed limitswitch 68 and spring-loaded contact bar 72 to the motor terminals 73 and74 of the reversible electric motor 24. The actuation of the motor 24causes rotation of the shafts 27 and 28 which is translated by the gear32 into closing movement of the valve body 17. During the closingmovement of the valve body 17, the link 38 is eifected to cause openingmovement of the sealing element 39, so that the valve 17 and seal 39assume the positions shown in phantom outline in FIG. 1. Both of thesemovements are in the direction of counter-flow in the pipe 10, thuscausing the valve body 17 to be firmly seated in sealing engagement withthe end 16 of the sleeve 13.

The rotation of the threaded shaft 27 also causes downward movement ofthe collar 61 carrying the abutment screws 65 and 66. This causes screw66 to disengage from the normally closed limit switch 69 and, likewise,causes screw 65 to engage and open limit switch 68 to open the motorenergizing circuit when the valve 17 is fully closed. The mercury switch56 also completes a parallel circuit through signal light 76 and theclosing of the limit switch 69, by disengagement of the screw 66,completes a second signal circuit, as through light 77, which preferablyis located remote from the valve mechanism in an occupied area where itwill ordinarily be seen without undue delay. The signal 77 provides animmediate indication to the occupants that the valve 17 has closed andthat the sewage system of the home can no longer be subjected to normalusage. The signal light 76 will remain energized as long as sufiicientcounter-flow exists in the pipe 10 to maintain the float 51 at aswitch-closing level, thus indicating the continued existence of theback-up condition.

It Will be understood that the valve operating and control system couldwith equal facility be energized by a conventional source of AC. power.However, inasmuch as heavy thunderstorms which might cause the sewerback-up condition might also cause failure or interruption of theconventional power supply, I prefer to use an independent source ofelectrical energy, such as the battery 71.

The opening of the sealing element 39 exposes the riser 40 tocommunication with the interior of the pipe section 10 and thus acts asa relief mechanism for the pressures created by the back flow in thesystem, particularly the occasional surge conditions which may occur.The riser 40 also serves as a vent pipe for the escape of gases whichmay be generated by the sewage and which would create additionalpressures Within the system. In this manner, the system is protectedagainst excessive pressure buildups resulting either from sudden surgesor generated gases.

When the fiood condition has subsided, as indicated by the extinction ofthe signal light 76, it is safe to open the valve body 17 and restorethe line to normal usage. This is accomplished by manually retractingthe contact bar 72 to establish a reversing motor energizing circuitthrough closed limit switch 69 and motor terminals 73, 78 and 75. Themotor 24 causes counter-rotation of the shafts 27 and 28 to open thevalve body 17 and close the sealing element 39, so as to restore them tothe originally described positions shown in solid lines. This rotationcauses the collar 61 to move upwardly on the shaft 27, causingdisengagement of the screw 65 with the limit switch 68 and restoringthat limit switch to its normally closed position. The screw 66 isbrought into operative engagement with the limit switch 69 to open themotor energizing circuit. When this occurs, the contact bar 72 can bereleased and will be restored to its normal position of contact with themotor terminals 73 and 74. The opening of the limit switch 69 alsoserves to open the signal circuit to the light 77, thus signalling theoccupants that the normal usage of the waste lines can be resumed. Then,by opening the water valve 44, the valve operating mechanism and thepipe 10 are flushed and cleansed of accumulated debris by the pressurespray from the ring 43. The system is now in ready condition forautomatic response to a future backup condition.

It will be understood that the limits of movement of the valve 17 andthe sealing element 39, as controlled by the motor 24 and limit switches68 and 69, can be adjusted by adjusting the position of theswitch-engaging screws 65 or 66. It will also be apparent that theentire operating mechanism can be removed for inspection or repairsimply by releasing and removing the cover plate 19, to which all theparts are secured.

If, for any reason, it should be considered necessary or desirable toconserve the output of the battery 71, the battery powered circuit tothe signal 77 may be eliminated and, in lieu thereof, thenormally-closed limit switch may be utilized to control a line-poweredsignal circuit, as indicated in FIG. 6. In response to downward movementof the collar 61, the screw 67 disengages from the limit switch 70causing it to close and establish the energizing circuit to a signal,such as a bell 79. The ringing of the bell serves to alert the occupantsto the valveclosing condition. It will be apparent that other signalmeans, such as the previously mentioned signal light 77 may be utilizedinstead of or in combination with the bell 79. In response tocounter-rotation of the shaft 27, during the opening movement of thevalve 17, the screw 67 is reengaged with the limit switch 70, causing itto open and break the circuit to the signal 79.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shownand described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of part may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a valve apparatus for controlling back-up flow in a sewer line,the combination of a pipe line for discharging sewage from an inhabitedstructure to a sewer, an internal flow sleeve having a discharge end ofsmaller diameter than said pipe line mounted within a portion of saidpipe line in the path of liquid flow therein and providing an annularchamber between said sleeve and said pipe line, a liquid-level sensingdevice disposed exteriorly of said pipe line, the wall of said portionof said pipe line being provided with openings establishing flowcommunication between said annular chamber and said liquid-level sensingdevice, said openings being shielded by said sleeve from exposure to thedischarging flow of liquid in its normal direction of movement in saidpipe line, but being exposed to back-up flow of liquid into said annularchamber, and valve means actuated by said liquid-level sensing device inresponse to a predetermined level of back-up flow into said chamber andthrough said openings for sealing said discharge end of said sleeveagainst said backup flow.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, including signal means actuatedby said liquid-level sensing device in response to a predetermined levelof back-up flow.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, including a riser mounted onsaid pipe line downstream from said internal flow sleeve, and adapted toserve as a vent pipe for the escape of gases, closure means normallysealing said riser against communication With said pipe line, and

means responsive to sealing movement or" said valve means forsimultaneously causing opening of said closure means to expose saidriser to the back-up flow of liquid in said pipe line.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ISADOR WEIL,Primary Examiner. CLARENCE R. GORDON, Examiner.

1. IN A VALVE APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING BACK-UP FLOW IN A SEWER LINE,THE COMBINATION OF A PIPE LINE FOR DISCHARGING SEWAGE FROM AN INHABITEDSTRUCTURE TO A SEWER, AN INTERNAL FLOW SLEEVE HAVING A DISCHARGE END OFSMALLER DIAMETER THAN SAID PIPE LINE MOUNTED WITHIN A PORTION OF SAIDPIPE LINE IN THE PATH OF LIQUID FLOW THEREIN AND PROVIDING AN ANNULARCHAMBER BETWEEN SAID SLEEVE AND SAID PIPE LINE, A LIQUID-LEVEL SENSINGDEVICE DISPOSED EXTERIORLY OF SAID PIPE LINE, THE WALL OF SAID PORTIONOF SAID PIPE LINE BEING PROVIDED WITH OPENINGS BEING FLOW COMMUNICATIONBETWEEN SAID ANNULAR CHAMBER AND SAID LIQUID-LEVEL SENSING DEVICE, SAIDOPENINGS BEING SHIELDED BY SAID SLEEVE FROM EXPOSURE TO THE DISCHARGEFLOW OF LIQUID IN ITS NORMAL DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT IN SAID PIPE LINE,BUT BEING EXPOSED TO BACK-UP FLOW OF LIQUID INTO SAID ANNULAR CHAMBER,AND VALVE MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID LIQUID-LEVEL SENSING DEVICE IN RESPONSETO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL OF BACK-UP FLOW INTO SAID CHAMBER AND THROUGHSAID OPENINGS FOR SEALING SAID DISCHARGE END OF SAID SLEEVE AGAINST SAIDBACKUP FLOW.